Iron Sharpens Iron

About

Consult Forenji is a social enterprise bridging the gap between the vision and capabilities of grassroots organisations through consulting in management, education and leadership development.

By improving the efficiency and capabilities of the organisations we serve we are able live out our dream of making the world just a little bit better. Our vision is to see individuals, organisations and business equipped and empowered for social change and development in regions with the least access to basic services, education and development.

We see this vision being fulfilled through CATS – (1) Connecting (2) Advising (3) Training and (4) Support:

Connecting clients with donors, foundations and like minded organisations/institutions and individuals

Advising and Consulting with our clients in a range of fields such as management and education

Training clients/staff where gaps are identified

Support in the implementation of projects

What is Forenji?

Forenji is an Amharic word which means “foreigner” or “outsider”.

Who is Forenji?

Jonathan.

Born in South Africa, raised in Ethiopia and currently living in India, Jonathan is a true product of globalization. He has traveled to 11 countries, 20 major cities, 30 plus towns and villages, and counting. He also speaks 3 languages and has been trained in fields of study such as cultural anthropology, linguistics, literacy development, conflict resolution, translation, leadership and management.

Jonathan has seen the world from a perspective few can lay claim to and it is this expertise that he brings to organisations looking to expand their vision, develop their strategies and implement their mission.

Why Forenji?

The concept of “Forenji” took root during Jonathan’s early years growing up in Ethiopia. This is what he was to everyone else, a foreigner, an outsider.

Rather than feel shunned or ostracized, he came to embrace his identity as a Forenji. He realized that being a foreigner gave him an outside perspective that many value. That being a foreigner meant he wasn’t bound to one cultural identity, but that he could bind himself to multiple cultural identities. Adapting to the surrounding culture became second nature to Jonathan.

The concept of Forenji was further solidified when after returning home to South Africa in 2006, having spent more that 10 years in Ethiopia. Jonathan realized that he was a foreigner in his own country. He thought different, behaved differently, had different values, views and perspective of the world than those in his home country.

Jonathan now resides in India, where he is once again seen as a foreigner, albeit now one who has learnt to adapt and thrive in new circumstances. He takes pride in the fact that he is not bound to one way of thinking and doing things, but able to take his experiences and apply them to a variety of new and exciting challenges.